A CHEERFUL GIVER

Hands busy in the simple Mexican kitchen, she worked diligently for hours, mixing up the dough, forming small balls, rolling them out impossibly thin, and browning them on both sides in a hot skillet. The result was delicious homemade tortillas, a still-warm stack wrapped in plastic for each of us. Twenty-one people had been in Mexico for two and a half days, building a new home for her and her family, and she wanted to send us off with a gift in return.

The fresh tortillas were wonderful, and much appreciated. They were also a not-so-subtle reminder to me, that I should be more grateful for the blessings God has entrusted to me. Our new friend was graciously and generously sharing with us from the resources she had. How could I possibly do any less?

Lord, please remind me often of the joy and gratitude and generosity displayed in that humble kitchen. And help me follow her lead by passing along Your blessings to the people I meet.

2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Grace to you--

Deborah

YOU ARE ON HIS MIND!

"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!" Psalm 139 17-18 (NLT)

Amazing thought, that God spends time thinking about me! Not just once in awhile, but all the time. So many times, in fact, that His thoughts about me cannot be counted--like sand on a seashore. What's even more mind boggling is that God can think about each one of us like that. Because God is infinite, without limit, He can be smoothing your path in front of you, at the exact same time that He is holding my hand and encouraging me on, at the same time that He is listening to your sister's prayer, and on and on.

In His infinity, His attention to you is not diminished by His attention to me, or to anyone else. Isn't it wonderful to know that God doesn't get distracted! He's not going to get overwhelmed. He's not going to miss anything. And He's thinking about me (and you) all the time. Oh, thank you, Lord!

Grace to you--

Deborah

OH, I NEED THAT!

God blessed me this week with the privilege of starting a noon Bible study for working women who don't normally get to participate in a women's group study. As I've talked to different ones and told them what we're doing, a common response has been, "Oh, I need that."

You probably know how it is. We get busy taking care of children, or parents, or working long hours at a job, or whatever it might be, not really noticing how parched we're becoming--like working long hours in the sun without a drink. Until someone says, "Slow down, take a break, come meet with us to pray and share scripture." And then, just like someone bringing us a cool glass of water, or like seeing an oasis in the desert, our souls say, "Oh, I need that."

God made us for fellowship and connection--the kind where we take time to share our thoughts, prayers, concerns, blessings. Where we can encourage and lift each other up, and grow together in love. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another . . ."

As you go through this beautiful fall season, I hope you make the time to connect with a friend, share a scripture and a prayer, encourage each other, and let God quench the thirst within you.

Grace to you--

Deborah